[778] Chain Reaction (4)
* * *
Near midnight.
Lights burned in every quarter of Kashan's imperial palace, Aganos, and the streets outside thrummed with festival crowds.
"Night Kashan."
The city, radiating enormous energy, looked like an unknown civilization hidden deep in the cosmos.
Shirone, flying beside the jet, asked, "Are we going straight there again?"
Minerva fell into thought as the card players sat in a row behind the jet.
"This is different from Nam Edmond."
If one of the Tower's Five Great Stars was involved, Kashan wouldn't need to be cautious—but Woorin was a special case.
"Mitochondria Eve…."
Her influence, reading the world through history search, was the greatest even among the Three Imperial Domains.
She was also commander of the Valkyries, an anti-heaven unit, and in the crusades the mood was that she was the tacit leader.
"Kashan's army isn't the issue. The problem is Aganos's palace guard—that one's famous world‑wide."
Minerva spread three fingers.
"The rule is like this: the outer protects the Empress's buildings, the middle protects the Empress's space, and the inner protects the Empress's life."
"There's an outer ring outside the palace, a middle ring inside the palace, and the inner ring on the floor where Woorin stays."
Minerva took a thoughtful drag from her long pipe.
"Aganos Guard—inner. I hear even regular members' skills rival generals'. If you breach their domain, they'll strike."
It was Woorin's assigned post, but without special orders the guards would have no choice but to draw their swords.
"Let's land in front of the palace. That'd be best."
"You're thinking wrong. What I mean is they're tough, so we break them from the start. We go straight to the Empress's chamber."
Shirone's eyes narrowed.
"Why does she always have to be so twisted?"
"As I always say…."
A thunderclap burst from the jet's ejection port.
"You are you, and I am me!"
Minerva's eyes hardened as she drove through the air at terrifying speed.
She thought, She really pulled one over on me.
At the time she hadn't even suspected it would be Teraje.
Huh—it's quiet?
Even though it was time for the outer Aganos guard to act, there was no sign of anything on the ground.
"Wait a second!"
Shirone called as he hurried after them, but the more he called, the hotter his blood ran.
Whatever she's thinking, she misjudged the person!
Minerva and the card players rose into the air and the jet shot out like an arrow.
A wall exploded with a deafening roar.
"Why is she like this, seriously?"
Shirone muttered in irritation, but it was too late to undo the damage.
"Hmm."
Through the collapsed wall, Minerva entered the palace and pulled the jet free from the floor.
"No one's here?"
Shirone, who had followed in with the card players, reached a hand out.
"Wait. This doesn't feel right—"
At that moment Gando opened the door and stepped in.
"You've arrived. The Empress is waiting."
He made no mention of the forced entry or the damaged palace property.
"What? Where are the guards?"
"There was a special order. They were told to ensure our guests aren't inconvenienced."
If this had been any empire other than Kashan, they might have called the hospitality over the top—but the opponent was Mitochondria Eve.
Is this part of the plan too?
Recalling memories from the past, Minerva licked her lips and stepped forward. Gando led them on.
They arrived at a room in a completely different location from where Shirone had been before.
"You've come, Shirone."
Woorin waited in the crystal-lit room, hands clasped.
"...."
Minerva opened her mouth, and the card players watched in stunned silence.
Light makeup, a red ribbon at her throat, a black dress that matched her white hair—
"She's beautiful."
Shirone had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
Well done, Gando.
When a joy he could not hide spread across Woorin's face, Gando finally let out a breath of relief.
Now, Your Majesty, do as you will.
What Gando thought the most beautiful, Shirone agreed was the most beautiful.
But distrust colored Minerva's eyes.
What the hell is this? Why is she like this?
Her head spun at a temperament so different from the Teraje she knew.
This is like… the look of a woman in love.
It wouldn't be strange for Teraje to want Shirone.
But if it were truly urgent, she could have seized him by force and taken what she wanted.
Choosing to win by love is terribly inefficient. No—efficiency aside, it's meaningless for Teraje.
"Sorry for the commotion. I wanted to come in quietly."
"It's fine. We already knew and prepared."
When Minerva's presence was reported, Woorin had thought she might ruin everything.
"You really are Woorin. You're very pretty today."
Woorin felt dizzy to the point of fainting.
What do I do? It's worse than I expected.
Unrequited love has limits, but this was someone she had kept in her heart since primordial times.
Her desire had swelled so large it crushed reason; her body felt hot as if she'd become a beast.
Minerva smiled as she approached.
"Long time no see, sister."
"Ugh."
Woorin's expression crumpled at the one sentence that doused her feverish mood.
"Sister?"
Shirone cocked his head, remembered Woorin's letter, and realization dawned on him.
Come to think of it….
Minerva pointed at Woorin.
"Of course she's a sister. Or should I say senior? She taught me many of a witch's pleasures."
Teraje had led a witch's life before becoming Kashan's Empress, but Woorin didn't particularly want to bring that up.
"It's part of history. But as you know, Teraje isn't a single person. You should know the Teraje who was your senior is already gone."
"Good for her—how convenient."
Teraje endlessly changed bodies over generations, but Minerva's body remained as it had in her witch days.
Woorin shot a warning look.
"I regret that time. But I didn't lead her into witchcraft—I just met her by chance…."
"Hoho! Right! We met there. Now I remember."
Minerva, hand on Shirone's shoulder, leaned toward Woorin and whispered in her ear.
"Do you know how amazing Teraje was as a witch? I think her name was Electline or something. Right?"
"Um, can we not talk about old times right now?"
Minerva ignored the rebuke.
"I learned so much teaming up with you. I was shocked. One time she had nearly a hundred men at once—"
Minerva's excited chatter faltered and her eyes wavered.
"...."
Woorin's lips trembled as she forced herself silent; tears welled in her reddened eyes.
A killing intent rose from Gando's body.
Should I kill her?
Maybe he should have her executed.
"Woorin, are you all right?"
Just as Shirone reached out, Woorin spun and bolted from the room.
Shirone stared after her blankly, then frowned and turned to Minerva.
"Why do you keep saying useless things? The person involved said she didn't want to hear it."
"What did I do? If she wants to speak, she can. Anyway, it's the truth."
Shirone sympathized with Minerva and couldn't press the matter further.
Gando lifted his chin and stepped forward.
"You planned your words knowing this would happen, didn't you?"
"Why don't you pick your moment before you butt in, kid? Anyway, calm your Empress and bring her back. We have work to do."
"I'll go."
Shirone looked at Gando.
"Please take her to Woorin. It's because of me. I'll soothe her and she'll calm down."
Gando hesitated.
If she even slightly thinks the Empress is tainted….
Then Kashan would unleash every ounce of force it has to erase Minerva from the world.
"Take her there."
He met Shirone's steady gaze and turned.
She's not that kind of person.
He had known that since they first met at the Tormia Magic Association.
"Follow me. She's in the annex."
Gando guided them to Woorin's room. Shirone knocked slowly on the door.
"Woorin, are you in there?"
There was no answer.
"May I come in for a moment?"
Gando nodded, and Shirone opened the door. He blinked, still gripping the doorknob.
Woorin sat cross-legged on the bed and smiled, beckoning.
"Ah…."
Sensing Gando, Shirone hurriedly shut the door and stepped in. Woorin rose from the bed.
"Good you came. Sit here."
"Are you feeling any better?"
"Not at all. I hate that woman. But I can understand, in a way."
Woorin offered a drink.
"Drink. It isn't drugged with a sleeping potion, so don't worry."
At last he felt reassured.
"Actually, I wasn't entirely cold either. Just the thought of meeting you made me emotional. Minerva cooled me down."
"Then why did you run out crying?"
"I wanted to have something to say—just the two of us."
Shirone set the cup down and waited as Woorin averted her eyes.
"Shall we make love right here?"
"Woorin, that—"
"I know. Another person occupies your heart. And you think that feeling will never change, don't you?"
Shirone nodded honestly.
"I have a great duty to Kashan too. So make love with me here. That will end everything."
"I can't do that. It would be a betrayal of Amy."
"This is for you."
Woorin met Shirone's eyes.
"I can't tell you how, but I know a method that will make you have to love me. If I use it, you will be my man whether you like it or not."
He had thought the heart couldn't be stolen.
"Gando worries about me. But I'm not worried. I prepared for a long time, and the method to win your heart is perfectly laid out in my head."
She was Mitochondria Eve, designer of history; this could not be dismissed as bluster.
"In the end, I'll have you. Regardless of your sorrow. I even want that. So this is the last favor my feelings will grant. Love me for one day, and I'll let you go."
Shirone stayed silent. Woorin added, "Let me be clear—there won't be a second time. This is your last chance to love me instead of Amy."
A last chance.
They expect me to choose Woorin?
He couldn't imagine on what grounds that would happen, and she wouldn't say.
"Nothing will change."
Shirone was resolute.
"I don't want to hurt Amy. If I truly loved you, that would be different, but nothing short of that will make me change my heart."
"...I understand."
Woorin closed her eyes.
So it comes to this in the end.
Even if the Great Purge could render past incidents irrelevant, Mitochondria Eve's view ran on a different track from ordinary humans.
By folding together all the events so far, she could faintly predict what would happen next.
Above all, Woorin was the Teraje with the most powerful future-seeing among them.
"All right, Shirone."
Woorin smiled.
"Let's go. Now we must work."
Convinced Shirone would eventually fall into her arms, Woorin could smile and willingly let him go.